2012 Somalia NGO Consortium Annual Report
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Transcript of 2012 Somalia NGO Consortium Annual Report
Somalia NGO Consortium 2012 Annual Report
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CONTENTS Highlights3
Foreword 4
Introduction 6Feature: 9SocialSafetyNetsinSomalia
Advocacy10
Feature: 13NGOsandHumanitarianReformProjectIISomalia(NHRPII)
Information 14
Feature: 16NGOSafetyProgram
Coordination 18
Feature: 19RegionalMixedMigrationSecretariat
Representation 22
Feature: 24CashConsortiumforSouth/CentralSomalia
MemberFeature:27DanishRefugeeCouncilHornofAfricaandYemen
RegionalUpdates 31
FinancialUpdate 32
Picture Courtesy of NGO Consortium/ NSP 2011
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CONSORTIUM HIGHLIGHTS• Asofthecloseof2012registration,theConsortiummembershipconsistedof90Nationaland
InternationalNGOsoperationalinSomalia.
• To strengthen the Consortium’s engagement in Somaliland, a Regional Focal Point forSomaliland–HalimoElmiwas recruited inMay2012. Another addition to theConsortiumteaminJune2012wasaSeniorInformationOfficer–NanaNdeda.InDecember2012,theConsortiumwillrecruitaRegionalFocalPointforMogadishu.
• WiththeaddedCapacity,theConsortiumSecretariatintroducednewinformationproductsforitsmembershipandexternalstakeholders. MonthlyUpdatesaswellasTimeline reportsofkeydevelopmentsarenowregularlysharedwithmembership.TheConsortiumalsoregularlyupdatesaDirectoryofActorsandAgenciesinSomalia.
• MemberscompletedtheConsortium’sannualjointadvocacystrategy.ThestrategyidentifiesfourpriorityareasforadvocacyengagementbytheConsortiumnamely:Protectionofcivilians,refugees and displacement; Humanitarian access, operations and aid; Peace building andconflictresolutionandResilienceandLongtermdevelopment.
• In order to enable members to have more focused engagement on various issues, theConsortium has establishedworking groups open for interestedmembers. ActiveworkinggroupswithintheConsortiumaretheAdvocacy,Peacebuilding/ArmedviolencereductionandResilienceworkinggroups.
• TheConsortiumFocalPointrepresentsmembersontheHumanitarianCountryTeam(HCT)theCoordinationofInternationalSupporttoSomalisExecutiveCommittee(CISSExComm),andtheCommonHumanitarianFund(CHF)AdvisoryBoardhighlightingkeyNGOconcernsandtransmittinginformationtoNGOs.
• TheConsortiumhassinceMarch2012hostedtheSomaliaNGOsandHumanitarianReformProject II (NHRP II). This project has focused on enhancingNGOengagementwithin thevariousHumanitarianReformstructuresandonNGOcapacitybuilding.
• BuildingupontheoutcomesoftheNHRPIIproject,theConsortiumhasincludedanewactivityline insupportofcapacitydevelopmentof itsmembersandNGOsworking inSomaliaasawhole.Concreteactivitieshaveincludedspecializedtrainings(socialmediaandhumanitarianleadership);aworkplanforcapacitybuildingwillbeavailableinearly2013.
• InSeptember2012,theConsortiummembershipnominatedandendorsednewDeputyFocalPointsandmembersoftheSteeringCommittee.Further,uponrequest,theConsortiumcreatedamemberobserverstatusinadditiontotheexistingmembershipstatus(i.e.fullandassociatemembership).
• In Somaliland, the Consortium signed an MOU with the Somaliland Ministry of NationalPlanningandDevelopment.Throughthis,theConsortiumisrecognizedtorepresenttheviewsandpositionsofmemberNGOs. NGOConsortiumfunctions inSomalilandhavealsobeenenhancedbytheintroductionofinformalRegionalcoordinationmechanismswhichnowincluderegularmeetingsformembersinBurcao.
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Foreword 2012hasseensignificantchangeandgrowthfortheSomaliaNGOConsortium. Fromagrowingmembership of both national and internationalNGOs to the improvement of its functions andservices tomembers, theConsortiumhasbeensuccessfulinfulfillingitsmandatedroleofcoordi-nation,advocacy,informationsharingandrepre-sentationinSomalia.
Theyearhasalsowitnessedsignificantshifts inSomaliathathavehadimpactonNGOoperationsin the country and have considerably informedtheNGOConsortium’s activities in 2012. So-maliaremainsinanacutehumanitariansituationdespitetheimprovementsmadesincethefaminedeclarationin2011.Furthermore,majorpoliticalprocessesforexampletheconclusionofthepo-liticaltransitionperiodinSomaliawiththeelectionof a newParliament,President andPrimemin-
ister, aswell asongoingmilitaryactionand thetake-overofkeycities inSouthCentralSomaliabyAMISOMandTFG/SNGaffiliatedtroopshavecharacterized2012.
It iswithgreatprideandpleasurethattheNGOConsortiumsecretariatpresentsthe2012Annualreport.ThisprovidesanoverviewoftheConsor-tium’sactivitiesin2012,highlightingtheachieve-mentsthusfarandtheprogressmadeinitsman-dated functions. This reflection of progress isalsoaimedatgivingdirectiontofuturefocusandactivitiesoftheConsortium.ThisreportalsogivesroomformemberNGOstoprofiletheiractivities.
Highlightsduring2012haveincludedstrongjointadvocacy initiatives by the Consortium’s mem-bershiponavarietyofissues.TheConsortium’hasalsosignificantlystrengtheneditsinformation
Picture Courtesy of GIZ 2012
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management capacity, with the introduction ofnew information products. NGOmember agen-ciesfurtherbenefitfromregularupdatesonissuesof relevanceandconcern. Membershavealsoincreasingly used theConsortiumas a platformforlearning,exchangeandinformationsharing.Looking forward, theNGOConsortiumwillseektoremainproactiveinidentifyingandaddressing
NGOconcernsandhighlightingNGOoperationsinSomalia.Weremaingrateful foryoursupportandlookforwardtoworkingwithyouallin2013.
Sincerely,
TanjaSchumerSomaliaNGOConsortiumFocalPoint
Picture Courtesy of NGO Consortium/ NSP 2011
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Transparency: Through effective policies,procedures and structures we ensure to beopen and accountable to our members andstakeholders.
Do no harm:Wearecommittedtoethicalandresponsibleactionsandactivitiesintheserviceofcommunitiesandpeople.
Empowerment: In all our actions we striveto develop people’s capacity and confidenceto increase the strength of individuals andcommunities.
Equity:Wepromotefairnessinallouractionsasguidedbyourmandate.
Impartiality:We, inallour interactions,showno bias or prejudice against any particularpersonorgroup.
Accountability: Through our policies andprocedures, and in all our actions, we aretransparentandaccountable,answeringtoourpartners,membershipandstakeholders
Consortium Core Values
At theendofNovember2012, theConsortiumhas 90 members/observers comprising of bothNational and International Non-GovernmentalOrganizations (NGOs) operational in Somalia.Themembershipisdiverseincludinghumanitarian,developmentandpeacebuildingfocusedNGOs.The Consortium endeavors to meet the needsofallitsmembersregardlessoftheiroperationalfocus.
The Somalia NGO Consortium is a voluntarymechanismofNGOsforNGOs.Giventhehighlyinsecure environment, the complexity of theoperatingenvironmentandthelargenumbersofagenciesworkinginSomalia,acoordinatedvoiceiscriticaltosuccessfullyconductdevelopmentandhumanitarianwork inSomalia. Since2009, theNGOConsortiumhasbroughttogetherlocalandinternationalNGOsworking inSomalia in ordertoshareinformationandanalysisonkeyissues,facilitateclosercoordinationand jointadvocacy,and improve representation with stakeholdersincluding local authorities, the UN system anddonors.
Introduction
Picture Courtesy of NGO Consortium/ NSP 2011
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MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
√ InternationalorNationalNGO
√ ProgrammesworkinginSomalia
√ SignatorytoInternationalFederationofRedCrossandRedCrescentSocietiesCodeofConduct
√ Commitmenttoadheretothevisionandmandate,aswellasactiveparticipation
√ Financialaccountabilityshownthroughaudit
√ Paymentofannualmembershipfee
The Somalia NGO Consortium is hosted byCARE Somalia which provides administrativesupport to the Consortium’s Personnel. TheConsortium shares its office premises with theNGOSafetyProgram(NSP).AttheNairobileveltheConsortiumismanagedbyaFocalPointandtwovoluntaryDeputyFocalPointssupportedbyanInformationofficerandFocalPointAssistant/Administrator.
This team is supported by support staff sharedwith the NGOSafety Program (NSP), includinga senior Finance and Support Manager, aFinanceAssistant,aProcurementOfficer,andanOfficeAssistant. InSomaliland, theConsortiumis supported by a Regional Focal Point andInformation andAdmin Officer, and two DeputyRegional FocalPoints. InDecember 2012, theConsortiumwillrecruitaRegionalFocalPointforMogadishu.Overall, theworkof theConsortiumisoverseenbyaSteeringCommitteeelectedbymembers.
InSeptember2012,theConsortiummembershipnominated and endorsed new Deputy FocalPointsandmembersoftheSteeringCommittee.Agencies represented in the Consortium’sSteering Committee are;World Vision Somalia,WASDA,IslamicRelief.AFSC,CARE&DRC.
The Deputy Focal Points represent HIJRA andNRC.
Uponrequest,theConsortiumcreatedamemberobserver status in addition to the existingmembership status (i.e. full and associatemembership).TheObserverStatusmemberswillnothavetherighttovoteonanyissues.Theycanalsonotnominate themselves,orbeelectedforConsortium‘offices’orofficialroles(e.g.RegionalFocalPoint,etc.).
Host Agency Host Agency
Focal Point NSP Programme Manager
NSP StaffFocal Point Asst./Adm.
Info. Officer
Reg. FP Puntland
Reg. FP Somaliland
Deputy.Int. FP
Dep. Nat. FP
Steering Committee
MEMBERS
SomaliaNGOConsortiumStructure
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Focal Point:Oversees the funtionsof theCon-sortiumaspertheMandateaswellasthatoftheNGOConsortiumSecretariat.Istheoverallleadforadvocacyby theConsortiumand representsMembersatvariousCoordinationstructures.
Regional Focal Points: Represent the Con-sortium and its members regionally, coordinateregularmeetingswithmembersandstakeholdersandfacilitateinformationsharingbetweenmem-bersandexternalstakeholdersintherespectiveregions.
Information Officer: Responsible for informa-tion gathering, analysis and presentation. Pro-videssupportinreportingbytheconsortiumandsupportsthevariousadvocacyengagements.
Focal Point Assistant/Administrator: GeneralMember support including registration, informa-tion sharingandoperational support. Alsopro-videssupporttotheNGOConsortium’sadminis-trativefunctions.
THE CONSORTIUM TEAMFocal Point
Dr. Tanja Schuemer
Regional Focal Point ( Somaliland)Halimo Elmi Waheliye
Regional Focal Point (Puntland) KISIMA (Mohammed Said Mohamud/
Yurub Timir
Information Officer Nana Ndeda
Focal Point Assistant/Administrator Serah Oluoch
Consortium Nairobi Team left to right: Nana Ndeda, Serah Oluoch, Tanja Schuemer, Clarissa Fischer, Steffen Schwarz
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SOCIAL SAFETY NETS IN SOMALIA
Since June 2010, Adeso has led theimplementation, in conjunction with Save theChildren, of a 30-month pilot Social Safety Net(SSN)projectintheSanaagandKarkaarregionsofSomalia.IncoordinationwithrelevantgovernmentMinistries,theprojectprovidescashgrants,skillstraining, livelihood grants and community DRRtrainingsto2,200households.SupportedbytheEuropeanUnionandtheGovernmentofSweden,this project aims to help vulnerable householdsmeet their basic needs and access livelihoodopportunities,aswellasprovideamechanismforbuildingresiliencetolivelihoodrelatedshocks.
Socialprotectionisasystemofensuringthebasicsurvivalofcitizens.Itisoftenoneofmanybasicservices that, alongwithaccess tobasichealthcare and education, is missing in vulnerablecommunities. It is frequently absent from thesocialagendabecauseit isconsideredprimarilythe responsibility of the government to provide,and otherwise too difficult to deliver. Conflictand post-conflict affected fragile states are bydefinition contextswhere delivering any serviceisdifficult,andsocialprotection,inthiscontext,isusuallyseenastoodistantalong-termprospecttoinvestin.
Despitethechallengesthatexistinfragilestates,there is great potential to provide longer-termassistancetothosemost inneed,helpmaintainlives and livelihoods, and build resilience tofutureshocks.Whileitisidealforgovernmentstoprovidesocialsafetynets,thereisahumanitarianimperativetodowhatispossibletoensurethatthemostbasicneedsaremet.Fragilestateshavealongwaytogobeforetheycanfullyprovidesocialprotectiontotheircitizens,buttheneedforsocialassistanceisstrongandcannotbeignored.
InacontextwheretherecognitionofNGO-providedsocial protection mechanisms as an importantcomponent of development programming isincreasing, particularly in areas where securityisa challengeandpoverty conditions incrediblycomplex, the SSN project in Somalia is anexampleofthegreatimpactamodestamountofmoneycanhaveoncommunities facingchronicfood insecurity. The inter-linkages betweenthe different components of the project furthercontributetosustainingtheimpactoftheproject,andbuildingresilienceoverthelonger-term.
To date, the impacts of the project have beennumerous:inadditiontoreducingtheelevateddebtobtainedfromborrowingessentialitemsoncredit,familieswhoreceivedcashfromtheSSNprojectwereabletomeettheirbasicfoodandnon-foodneeds.Inrealterms,byMarch2012householdspurchasing itemson credit haddecreased fromalmost100%to10%,andtheaveragehouseholdmonthly incomehas increased from$50 (at thetimeof thebaseline) to$91. Inaddition, twentypercentofparticipantswereabletostartincome-generatingactivities.
Feature
Picture Courtesy of ADESO 2012
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ADVOCACYTheNGOConsortiumeffectively“createsaspaceformemberstocarryoutadvocacy”.Thisincludesfacilitatingspace formembers tocometogetheron advocacy issues or by facilitating advocacyeffortsdevelopedexternallybymembersandthenbroughttotheConsortiumforwiderengagement.
Protection of Civilians, Refugee Rights and Displacement
AllpartiestotheconflictinSomaliashouldadhereto and be held accountable to their obligationsunder International Humanitarian Law (IHL),Human Rights Law and Refugee law. This isthe key message pushed by humanitarian anddevelopment agencies operational in SomaliathroughtheNGOConsortium.
TheConsortiumhasachievedcommonpositioningof itsmembership inadvocating for theneed toprotect Somali populations amidst the conflict,messaging on the need to respect IHL by allactorsandtheneedfordurablesolutionsforIDPsandrespectforrefugeerights.Thesemessageshavebeensharedwithkeystakeholdersincludingconcerneddonors,UNagenciesandinternationaladvocacypartners(e.g.InterAction,ICVA).
The Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group(SEMG) report findings released in July 2012resonated with key humanitarian concerns. Inthe aftermath of the report’s release, agenciesunder the umbrella of the Consortium heldkey advocacy meetings with donors and keystakeholderswheretheneedtoaddressimpunityand lack of accountability and protection ofcivilians was emphasized. Another avenue foradvocacyengagementonthishasbeentheUNMiniSummitonSomalia(September26th2012)where the Consortium lobbied governmentsthrough their representation at theNairobi leveltopushforwardmessagingonthesekeyissues.
Humanitarian operations, Access and Aid
Jointly addressing challenges facing NGOoperations in Somalia has remained a keyadvocacy priority for the Consortium. Theseoperational challenges are compounded by thelack of access by agencies to address needsin parts of Somalia as well as an augmentedshift of the aid architecture to become lessindependent.
The Consortium has endeavored to articulatethe challenges faced by agencies in operatingin Somalia at different fora. This has includedmessaging on the access challenges faced byNGOsinoperatinginthe‘newlyaccessible’areasofSouthCentralSomaliaaswellasengagementthrough itsRegional focalpoints incoordinationand with regional authorities in Somalilandand Puntland respectively (see reporting fromRegions).
TheConsortiumhasbeenactivelyengagedinthehumanitarian policy reform processes includingthrough participation in coordination structuresincluding theHCT,CissExCommandSWALIM(seereportingonRepresentation).These
Pictures Courtesy of NGO Consortium/ NSP 2011
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London Conference on Somalia 23rd February 2012
- NGO response to the London Conference on Somalia – 21 NGO Signatures.
- Prioritizing Humanitarian action at the London Conference on Somalia: an NGO brief.
Istanbul II Conference on Somalia 31st May – 1st June 2012.
- NGO Common positions and concrete actions to be adopted during Istanbul II Conference on Somalia – 20 NGO Signatures
- Press Release on Humanitarian Needs in Somalia
Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group (SEMG) report – July 2012
- Advocacy Brief with key concerns and recommendations for action (shared with donors and governments)
AMISOM Mandate Renewal October/November 2012
- NGO suggested language for new AMISOM Mandate.
UN Strategic Review Process October/November 2012
- NGO letter on UN Structural Integration – 19 NGO Signatures
Donor Advocacy 2012
- Various NGO key messages
havebeen importantavenues for lobbyingandmessagingonaccessandoperationalchallengesfaced by NGOs. With the ongoing push forengagement in stabilzation programming, theConsortiumhascontinuedtoengagewithdonorson issues of aid access and the importance ofimportanceof impartiality, consistencyandnon-politicizationof aid. Consortiummembership isengaged in the development of the SomaliAidframework, aswell aswherepossibleprovidinginput intovariousstabilityprogramsput forwardbydonors.
Commonmessaging informed theFocalPoint’sdiscussions with and briefing of key policymakers in Washington DC, New York, LondonandIstanbulandinthefringesoftheLondonandIstanbulgovernmentalconferences.
Resilience and Long term developmentThere is an increased focus on development/stability and resilience building for Somalia. Inthis regard, the Consortium has advocated fortheavailabilityof flexible longer term funding tomeettheneedsofSomalisandisindependentofpolitical/militaryagendas.Further,theConsortiumhas been the voice for humanitarian concernsin contexts where the development agenda isviewedasoverridinglifesavingneeds.
Cooperating with global partnersTheFocalPointhasupheldanongoingdialoguewith representatives fromglobalNGOadvocacymechanisms,includingInterAction,ICVAandad-vocacygroupsatcapitallevel.InMarch2012,sherepresented the Consortium at the InterActionsponsoredNGOplatformsconference inWash-ingtonDC.Globaladvocacylinkshaveprovenin-crediblypowerful in transmittingSomalia-relatedadvocacymessagestoaglobalaudienceandtostrengthenoutreachtopolicymakersabroad.
2012 Advocacy Highlights
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NGO Consortium Advocacy StrategyIn November 2012, the Consortium Membership concluded the development of an Advocacy Strategy to inform and give direction to the Consortium’s advocacy engagement. The Consortium Advocacy strategy outlines four broad Consortium advocacy priorities (with specific objectives and aims); these objectives are shaped by the Consortium’s previous and current advocacy activities and by a survey completed by member country directors. The priority areas also take into account various other activities that the Consortium is currently taking forward, including regular engagement in aid agency forums and implementation of cross agency projects housed within the consortium.
1) Protection of Civilians, Refugee Rights and Displacement
2) Humanitarian Operations, Access and Aid
3) Peace Building and Conflict Resolution
4) Resilience and Long term Development
NGO Consortium Advocacy Ways of Working> Consortiumadvocacyisinformedbytheoperationalandadvocacyexperiences
of its members. Members commit to proactively share information andsupport majority advocacy initiatives both through provision of informationandcapacity.
> Itisstrengthenedbyevidencedrawnfrominformationalreadyexistingwithinthemembership–carriedoutbyindividualorgroupsofagencies,orwhereinformationislacking,fromcommissionedevidencegatheringonbehalfoftheConsortium.
> TheConsortiumMembershipdevelopscollectivepositionsandperspectivesthatarticulatethevoiceofitsmembersandaddressthepriorityissuesunderdiscussion.Theseisinformedbytheactivitiesandmessagesofmembers.
> TheConsortiumSecretariatandStaffsupportandrepresentthemembershiponcoordinationandadvocacyissues.
Picture Courtesy of NGO Consortium/ NSP 2011
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THE NGOs AND HUMANITARIAN REFORM PROJECT II (NHRPII)
Since March 2012, the NGO Consortium hashosted the Somalia NGOs and HumanitarianReformProjectII(NHRPII).TheProjectManagerSteffenSchwarzisbasedattheConsortiumoffice.
The NHRP II activities focus on strengtheningthe role of national and international NGOs incoordinatingandleadingresponse.Buildingontheresearchandadvocacyachievementsofthefirstphaseoftheproject,NHRPIIissupportingNGOs–particularlylocalandnationalorganizations-toimprovehumanitarianoutcomesforcommunitiesaffected by disasters and conflict. The focus ison enhancing NGO engagement in: reformedhumanitarian coordination, leadership, financingmechanisms, adherence to the principles ofpartnership and promoting accountability toaffectedpopulations.
TheNHRPIIprojectforSomaliawaslaunchedinFebruary2012ataworkshopinNairobi,Kenya.This was followed by the establishment of theSomalisCoreWorkingGroup(SOCWOG)whichcomprises of both National and internationalorganizationsandgivesdirectionfortheproject.SOCWOGholdsmonthlymeetingstoreviewtheprogressofproject.
The project has made significant progress insupporting Somali National Organizations intheirengagement inthehumanitarianstructuresandprocessesonSomalia. Ithasconductedamapping of humanitarian reform architecture inSomaliawhichhasbeentranslatedtoSomaliandpresentedthroughboththeNGOConsortiumandNHRPIIwebsites.Thisisexpectedtoenhanceunderstanding among the various actors andsubsequently enhance their engagement in thevariousprocesses.
In June 2012, NHRPII in collaboration with theSomali Humanitarian Operational Consortium(SHOC),organizedaworkshopinMogadishuontheneedforcoordination,rolesandresponsibilitiesand humanitarian reform architecture. NHRPIIalso collected data through an online surveyof NGO experiences with the latest StandardApplicationProcessoftheCommonHumanitarianFund,theresultsofthisweresharedwithOCHAandinformedthesubsequentallocationprocessinOctober2012.
From its inception, it was noted that Capacityconstraints, especially of national organizationswould be a major priority area for the projectas this is a significant impediment to theireffectiveengagementinthehumanitarianreformprocesses. To address this, NHRPII initiateddialogue with ECB and PHAP on ways ofenhancingthecapacityoforganizationsinSomaliatoeffectivelydeliverHumanitarianAssistance.InOctober, NHRPII supported participants drawnfromSomali NationalOrganizations to attend aCore Professional Training on Leadership andManagement in Humanitarian Action. EightrepresentativesfromSomaliNGOsandumbrellagroupsbenefittedfromthetraining.
NHRPII in collaboration with ICVA conductedresearch on the nature of humanitarianpartnershipsinSomalia.Thisresearchexaminedthenatureofrelationshipsbetweeninternationalorganizations with focus on trust building andintegration of capacity building into partnershipstructures in Somalia. In September 2012,the project organized a workshop on CapacitybuildingforSomaliorganizationsinNairobi,Kenyawhere the research resultswerepresentedandopportunitiesforengagementoncapacitybuildingidentified. The workshop brought together keyactors drawn from National and InternationalAgenciesaswellastheUNanddonors.
Feature
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Thematic Discussions.- OperationsinSouthCentralSomalia
- RiskManagementandAccountability
- ResilienceandLongtermdevelopment
- PeaceBuildingandConflictResolution
- HumanitarianOperations,accessandaid
- ProtectionofCivilians,refugeerightsanddisplacement
- MeetingonSPUs
- MeetingontheNewDeal
Member Thematic/Program Briefings- ConflictandGovernanceMapping(Saferworld)
- Parliamentary/ExecutiveSupportandCivicEducationinSCS(NDI)
- MogadishuMappingproject(ACTED/REACH)
- SomaliaNonStateActorsPlatforms(Saferworld)
Donor Briefings - DFIDSomaliaStabilityFund
- OFDA
- DFID/FCO
- EC/ECHO
- HumanitarianDonorGroup
UN Briefings.- OCHAAccessUnit
- TransformativeAgenda
- OCHAFundingcoordination
- CERFEvaluation
- CHF
2012 NGO CONSORTIUM THEMATIC INTER – AGENCY BRIEFINGS/
DISCUSSIONSInformation
The Consortium has proactively sharedinformationwith itsmembership on a variety ofissues in order to facilitate an informed NGOcommunityable tobest implement interventionsinSomalia.Ithasprovidedaneffectiveplatformforcommunicationandinformationsharingtoandbyitsmembersaswellasexternalstakeholdersincludingdonors,UNagenciesandgovernments.
With the increased capacity of its team, theConsortium has since June 2012 provided itsmembershipwithnewinformationoutputs.Amongthese are monthly Consortium Updates thatprovideanoverviewofactivitiesconductedbytheConsortiumaswellashighlightsofhumanitarian,politicalandsecuritytrendsinSomalia.Further,the Consortium has developed and constantlyupdates aTimeline report of key developmentsinSomaliaprovidingmemberswithanoverviewof past key events taking place in the countryandhighlightingsignificantpolitical,securityandhumanitariandevelopmentsinSomalia.
The Consortium has strengthened its provisionof feedbackto itsmembersonvariousactivitiesby providing timely and detailed minutes andbriefingnotesofthevariousmeetingsheldwith/bymembersorwhereConsortiummembershipisrepresented.Ithasfurtherensuredthatmembersareproactivelyinformedofanynewdevelopmentsas they occur. These include information onfundingandcapacitybuildingopportunitiesaswellasvariousthematic/programmaticdevelopments.
Member agencies have increasingly used theConsortiumasaforumforinformationsharingontheirprogramming.TheConsortiumhasprovidedaplatformforitsmemberstoshareexperiences,approaches and lessons learnt from theirprogrammingandinterventionsinSomalia.Thishas facilitateddialogueoncommonapproachesandcollaborationamongagencies.
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The Consortium’s website is an importantinformation source for both members and non-members in accessing relevant informationincluding position papers/statements, advocacyinformation/key messages, program relateddocuments, a map of member programming,funding opportunites, career opportunites etc.Members are able to provide and also accessinformation by othermembers, and can uploadvacancies and projects etc. The Consortium’smailing list currently holds over 700 emailcontactsthatreceiveregularemailupdatesastheConsortiumdisseminates information it receivesfrom members, donors, and other relevantstakeholders.
TheConsortiumcontinuestobilaterallyadviceandsupportitsmembersonrequest.InthepipelineisfinalizationofaManualforNGOoperationsinSomalia.
2012 NGO Consortium Information Products
> NGO Consortium Monthly UpdatesTheSomaliaNGOConsortiumMonthlyupdatesprovideanoverviewofactivitiesconductedbytheConsortiumaswellashighlightsofadvocacy,humanitarian,politicalandsecuritytrendsonamonthlybasis.
> Somalia Timeline ReportThetimelinereportofKeydevelopmentsinSomaliaisregularlyupdatedbytheConsortiumandprovidesachronologicaloverviewofsignificantdevelopmentsinthecountry.
> Somalia Actors and Agencies DirectoryDirectoryofActorsandAgenciesoperatinginSomalia.Contactsincludedinthisdirectoryare:EmbassiesandDonors,UNandIntergovernmentalOrganizations,InternationalNGOsandAidAgenciesandSomaliNationalOrganizations.
> Somalia NGO Consortium WebsiteInteractiveWebsiteforInformationsharingandmembercoordination.AlsoincludesanNGO3W(Who,What,Where)matrixformemberprogramminginformation.Link:http://www.somaliangoconsortium.org.
> Introduction to Working in Somalia Course.ThiscoursehasbeendevelopedinclosecooperationwiththeRiftValleyInstituteinresponsetorepeatedcallsfromtheConsortium’smembershipforsuch.Thefirstcoursewilltakeplaceon29th-30thJanuary2013.Itisintensive2daytrainingforsenior(upper/middlemanagement)professionals/representativesfromNGOsinterestedingainingfoundationalandoperationalknowledgeoftheSomaliacontext.
Picture Courtesy of NGO Consortium/ NSP 2011
Picture Courtesy of NGO Consortium/ NSP 2011
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THE NGO SAFETY PROGRAM (NSP)
What is NSP ? The NGO Safety Program (NSP) for Somalia/SomalilandisaprogramcreatedbyNGOs,thatcontributestoenablingInternationalandNation-alNGOs inSomalia andSomaliland to operatesafelyandsecurely.
NSP,initiallycalledtheNGOSecurityPrepared-nessandSupport(NGOSPAS),wasestablishedin2004byNGOsoperatinginSomalia/Somalil-and.Oneofthedrivingforcesthatgaverisetotheprogramwas the targeted killing of aidworkersbetween2003and2004andtherealizationthattheoperatingenvironmentfornationalandinter-nationalNGOsinSomaliawaschangingrapidly.
Today,Somaliaisstillconsideredoneofthemostchallengingcontexts in termsofsecurity forhu-manitariananddevelopmentworkers.
Based on similar programs around the worldsuch asANSO, theNSP objective is to ensurethatNGOsoperatinginSomaliareceiverelevantandefficient support andpreparation in variousaspectsofsecurity.
What services does NSP provide for NGOs?
In theperiod2011–2013NSPprovidesNGOsthe following services. These, may change in2013accordingtoevolutionofthecontextandonNGOneeds.Newserviceswillalsobegraduallyimplementedandaddedtothislist.PleaserefertotherelevantsectionsofNSPwebsiteformoredetails.http://www.nspsomalia.org.AllNSPservicesarefree,thankstothesupportofitsdonors.
Information and analysis:• Dailyreports• Weeklyreports• Quarterlyreports• Advisories• NairobiandHargeisaregularsecurity
briefings• Adhocbriefingsonrequest• Written Area Briefings: basic information
(clancomposition,historyofsecurity inci-dents,maincontacts,medicalfacilities)for25to30keylocations
• Maps:areaof control, riskmaps,accessmap,citymaps,geographicalmapsetc.
• Database and incident tracking: produc-tionofspecificreportsandstatisticsonre-questforNGOs
Picture Courtesy of NGO Consortium/ NSP 2011
Feature
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Training• Hostile Environment Individual Safety
Training(HEIST)• CountryDirectorsandSecurityFocalPoint
specifictraining• AdHoctraining,onrequest
Response• Support to NGOs on request in times of
crisis.• SPUcoordination• Follow-up and management of SPU re-
quests• Provisionof technicalassistance inman-
agementofSPUs• Facilitationbetweendifferentstakeholders
(UNDP,NGOs,Localauthorities)
NSP and the NGO consortium:NSPandtheNGOConsortiumhaveaclosere-lationshipandstrongsynergies.Theyarelinkedthrough3channels:
• NSPwascreated followingadecisionbytheNGOConsortiumin2004
• The NGO Consortium and NSP share aSteeringCommittee
• TheNGOConsortiumandNSPshareof-ficesinmostlocations(Nairobi,Hargeisa,Mogadishu)
However, it isnotacondition foranNGOtobememberof theNGOConsortiumtobenefitfromNSPservices.
DonorsNSPisfundedbydonors.NSPfavorsamultido-nor approach. Donors supporting NSP are thesame donors supporting humanitarian action inSomalia and Somaliland. The present DonorssupportingNSPare:
This donor support enables NSP to support itsbeneficiaries freeofcharge.NSP thanks itsdo-norsfortheircontinuoussupport.
Contact
EmmanuelRinck–ProgramManager
Tel:+254(0)725236631(Kenya)Tel:+252(0)4251105(Somalia)Mail:[email protected]:www.nspsomalia.org
Picture Courtesy of NSP TrainingTeam 2012
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NGO CONSORTIUM WORKING GROUPS.
Advocacy Working Group
- Is composed of advocacy focal points ofMemberagencies.Asidefrominformationsharing, the group provides directionfor joint advocacy engagement byConsortiummembersbyidentifyingissuesandtargetedactionstoaddressthese.
Peace Building/Armed Violence Reduction Working Group
- Members share information and ideas;identify targets for advocacy action,develop key messaging for the peacebuildingaspectof theadvocacystrategy,and identify and take forward concretepeacebuilding/armedviolencereductionrelatedactivities.
Resilience Working Group
- Information sharing, cross-learningand experience sharing betweenMember agencies engaged in Resilienceprograming, Feed into processes thatinformResilienceprogramminginSomaliaand developevidencebasedmessagingonResilience programming that feed intoadvocacyprocessesonresilience.
COORDINATIONTheNGOConsortiumhasproactively facilitatedthecoordinationofvariousinitiativesandactivitiesfor and by its membership. Its coordinationactivities have been beneficial in enabling thefulfillment of the Consortium’s other mandatedactivities i.e. advocacy, information sharing andinformation.
The Consortium holdsmonthly meetings for itsmembers.Thesehavebeenimportantavenuesforinformationsharingandfeedbackwithmembers.Further,ad–hocmeetingshavebeenorganizedbased on need and request (both bymembersandbyexternalstakeholders). TheConsortiumhasalsoorganizedthematicmeetingsonvariousissuesaffectingprogramminginSomaliaincludingfunding,peacebuilding,advocacyetc.
Toenablefocusedengagementbyitsmembershipon key thematic issues, Consortium membersinitiatedtheestablishmentofWorkinggroupsthatdrawtogetherlike-mindedNGOs.Activeworkinggroupswithin theConsortiumare theAdvocacy,Peace building/Armed violence reduction andResilienceworkinggroups.
The Consortium has endeavored to facilitatelinksbetweenNGOs,UNagencies,donorsandnational governments. This has majorly beenthroughtheproactivesharingofinformationwithmembers on the various UN and donor – ledprocesses that have taken place (e.g. pooledfunding, stability funding etc.) and relayingmemberconcernsandpositionsonvariousissuestoexternalstakeholders.Further,theConsortiumhasstrengthenedcoordinationatregional levelsinSomalia(SeesectiononRegionalupdates).
Pictures Courtesy of NGO Consortium/ NSP 2011
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Mixed Migration as a major protection concern – a new secretariat operating out
of Nairobi.
The Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat(RMMS) has only been in existence sincemid-2011but isalreadyfillingaclearvacuum in theprotectionsectorastheHornofAfricaandYemenhub for information, analysis, research and dis-cussiononmixedmigrationissues.Createdaftertwoyearsofregionaldiscussionbetweenleadingagencies (including IOM, UNHCR, DRC, Inter-sosandtheYemenMixedMigrationTaskForce)on theneedforsuchahub, theRMMSisnowhosted by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC)andbasedintheDRC’sregionalofficeinNairobi.
The Horn of Africa region has witnessed highlevels of movement in recent years with 2011recording exceptionally high numbers on the
move:the‘perfect’displacementstorm,perhaps,where conflict, poverty, political oppression andnatural disaster combined todislodgehundredsof thousands of people. In 2011 alone, Soma-lis left in big numbers with over 170,000 arriv-ing in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp, 180,000arriving at Ethiopian refugee camps while ap-proximately25,000made theirway intoYemen.Additionally over 1.3millionSomaliswere clas-sified as IDPs and an unknownnumbermovedthroughKenyaandtheeasterncorridortowardsSouthAfrica.Eritreansareestimatedtobeflee-ingtheirhomecountryattherateof2000ormorepermonthandover80,000EthiopianscrosstheRed Sea and Gulf ofAden into Yemen. Theseare the flowswe know about – there are routeand destinations we have yet to understand ormonitorwherethousandsofotherscrossinterna-tionalbordersseekingbetter futureselsewhere.In 2012 over 100,000 Ethiopians and SomaliswillhavemadetheperilousvoyageintoYemen.
Espen Rasmussen / Panos (Courtesy of RMMS)
Feature
In 2011 and 2012 over 200,000 individ-uals caught up in mixed migration flows crossed into Yemen facing a wide range
of protection risks and much abuse.
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Theconceptofmixedmigrationisarelativelynewphenomenonandisofrisingimportance,bothintermsof sheer numbers andwith regard to po-liticalsignificanceatnational,regionalandgloballevels.Onedefinitionframesmixedmigrationasconsistingofcomplexpopulationmovementsin-cludingrefugees,asylumseekers,economicmi-grants and othermigrants (IOM), while anotherdescribesthemaspeopletravellinginanirregularmanneralongsimilarroutes,usingsimilarmeansoftravel,butfordifferentreasons(UNHCR).
This phenomenon reflects the tendencies foran increasingnumberofpeople tomigratewithgreaterrisks,insearchofabetterfutureinmoreaffluent parts of a globalizedworld. It also indi-catesthatpeopleareonthemoveforacombina-tionofreasonsthatfundamentallyarerelatedtosafeguardingphysicalandeconomicsecurity.
Conceptuallymixedmigrationincludes:
• Irregularmigrants(dislodgedbyarealand/or perceived inability to thrive (economicmigrants) or motivated by aspirations, adesire to unitewith other familymembersetc.Theirmovementisoftenorganizedandfacilitated by smugglers, although somemoveindependently)
• Refugeesandasylum-seekers (forcedmi-grants)
• Victimsoftrafficking(involuntarymigrants)• Statelesspersons• Unaccompanied minors and separated
children and other vulnerable persons onthemove
Mixed migration is therefore closely linked tocopingwithlivelihoodproblemscausedbycom-plexissuessuchaspersecution,politicalturmoiland armed conflict, poverty and environmentalproblems arising out of factors such as climatechange,populationpressure,andnaturaldisas-ters.Inaddition,socialissuesandemerging‘cul-turesofmigration’incertaincountriesmaycreate
compelling push and pull factors affecting peo-ples’decisionstomove.
Therisksanddangersfacedbyirregularmigrantsand others in the mixed migration flows in theregions are many.Apart from arrest, detention,imprisonmentanddeportation they faceseriousabuse from smugglers, criminals, local commu-nitiesandevenstateofficials.Migrantsalsodieasaresultofthirst, injury,exhaustion,exposureand drowning. Some die through misadventureand lack of preparedness or abandonment butothers are victims of sexual attack, trafficking,murder andaggravated robbery. Inanalarmingnew trendmigrants arriving inYemenare oftenkidnappedbygangsandheld,torturedandbeat-enuntilthegangsextortmoneyfromtheirfriendsandrelatives.
The Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat per-formsavarietyoffunctionsintheregionbysup-portingandcoordinatingtheMixedMigrationTaskForces(inYemen,Somalia,Puntland,Somaliland,Djibouti andKenya) and offering amonthly de-tailreportofallmixedmigrationmovement(dataand policy issues) along with a map that con-densesthesameinformationontoasinglepage.TheRMMShasbeencalledupontopresentthehuman rights and protection problems aroundmixed migration as various regional and inter-national fora and has conducted new research.Thetwomainresearchstudiescompletedin2012are:‘DesperateChoices–conditions,risksandprotectionfailuresaffectingEthiopianMigrantsinYemen’,and incollaborationwith theOxford In-ternationalMigrationInstitute(IMI)‘GlobalMigra-tionFutures–Usingscenarios toexplore futuremigration in theHornofAfricaandYemen’. It iscurrentlyundertakingatraffickingstudyinKenyaofwomenandgirlsfromDRC,SomaliaandEthio-piawithHeshima,alocalpartner.View all RMMS products relating to the region,includingdataupdates,maps,mediasummaries,featurearticlesandresearchatwww.regionalmms.org.
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REPRESENTATIONThe NGO Consortium also represents NGOpositionsandmessagingatvarious levels. TheConsortium’sfocalpointanddeputyfocalpointshave bilaterally established and/or maintainedrelationships with key stakeholders includinggovernments, donors, UN agencies and Non-member NGOs. Through these relationships,the Consortium has effectively articulated NGOcommonNGOperspectivesonidentifiedissues.The Consortium has taken the lead in draftingposition papers (e.g. the NGO position relayedattheIstanbulIIConferenceonSomalia),pressstatements,advocacybriefsetc.
The Consortium has broad consultations withmembersonvariousissuesinordertoeffectivelyrepresenttheConsortium.Issuesarepresentedtomembershipforinput,commentsanddiscussion.in order to gauge common positioning. This isalso beneficial in ensuring that membership iswellinformedofthevariouspositions.
The Consortium has served to represent itsmembershipat formalcoordinationmechanismsonSomalia.ThroughtheFocalPoint(orDeputyFocalPointinherabsence),Consortiummembers’views and concerns have been articulated tokey stakeholders and at key coordination andpolicymakingfora.TheConsortiumFocalPointrepresents NGOs at the Humanitarian CountryTeam (HCT), the Coordination of InternationalSupport toSomalisExecutiveCommittee (CISSExComm), the Common Humanitarian Fund(CHF)AdvisoryBoardandtheSomaliaWaterandLandInformationManagement(Swalim)AdvisoryBoard.
The Focal Point’s regular attendance at thecoordination structures’ meetings has ensuredthatkeyNGOconcernsandrecommendationsareconsidered.FurtherthishasachievedsignificantimprovementofNGOengagementinthevariouscoordination processes. The Consortium hasendeavoredtoprovidefeedbacktoitsmembershipondevelopmentsinthecoordinationmechanisms.
Picture Courtesy of NGO Consortium/ NSP 2011
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NGO CONSORTIUM REPRESENTATION IN SOMALIA COORDINATION STRUCTURES
The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) - This is responsible for coordinating the humanitarian response across the
wholecountry,workingwithbothUNagenciesandnon-UNorganizations.TheHumanitarianCountry Teammeets in Nairobi. Itsmembers include the sixmain UN agencies, and non-UN organizations including TheWorld Bank, theInternational Office for Migration, and the International Federation of the RedCross/RedCrescentandtheSomaliaNGOConsortium
- NGOMembersoftheHCTareHIJRA,NRC,Oxfam,DRC,SavetheChildrenandAdeso
The Coordination of International Support to Somalis Executive Committee(CISS ExComm)- BringstogetherrepresentativesfromtheSomaliDonorGroup(SDG),theclusters/
sectors,theNGOconsortiumandtheUNcountryteamandisco-chairedbytheResidentCoordinator(RC)/HumanitarianCoordinator(HC)andtheWorldBank.
- The CISS ExCom is the mechanism whereby the international assistancecommunity determines appropriate, effective and efficient means to deliverdevelopmentassistancetoSomalis,includingthroughengagementwithSomaliAuthorities.
The Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM)
- It is an information management unit serving Somali administrations, non-governmental organisations, development agencies and UN organisationsengagedinassistingSomalicommunitieswhoselivesdependdirectlyonwaterandlandresources
The CHF Advisory Board- IscomposedoffourUNagencies,fourNGOs,twodonorsaswellasonenon-
CHFdonorasobserver.TheBoardischairedbytheHumanitarianCoordinator
- The CHF Advisory Board supports the HC, ensuring strategic funding andinclusiveness. The role of theBoard is toReviewdraftStandardAllocationDocument,ReviewgeneralfunctioningofCHFtwiceayear,UponHCrequest,reviewproposalsthatdonotfallwithinoneclusterandUponHCrequest,reviewappealcasesandconflict.
Picture Courtesy of NGO Consortium/ NSP 2011
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1. What is the ‘Cash Consortium’?
TheCashConsortium isagroupof fourNGOs(ACF,Adeso,DRCandSavetheChildren) thatcametogetherinmid-2011toadvocatefortheuseofunconditionalcashtransfersasahumanitarianresponse in South Central Somalia. The CashConsortiumhadaclearemergencymandatefromthestart;theoverallaimoftheFoodAssistancefor Vulnerable Households in South CentralSomalia (FAVHSCS) project is to meet basicfoodandnon-foodneeds,throughtheprovisionof unconditional cash grants.Asmarkets haveproventofunctionwell(withessentialcommoditiesregularly available throughout the crisis andnoevidence of inflation linked to CTP), the CashConsortiummaintainsthatcashcontinuestobeanappropriateresponseforaffectedpopulationsinSouthCentralSomalia.
5,299
n/a
20,850
7,878
3,300
Phase 1Sep11–March12
11,000
5,300
19,165
6,45065,847
15,000
5,000
15,000
10,000
Note: Some agencies’ dates are slightly different, due to staggered funding arrangements. The planned number of HHs to be targeted in Phase 3 is the same as figures that have been submitted to the CAP (2013-15).
2. What is the Cash Consortium’s coverage?
The below table indicates the number ofhouseholds the Cash Consortium has alreadyreached in 2012 and expects to reach up untiltheGuharvest inJuly2013.Some fundinghasalready been secured, but further funding issoughttorespondtogapsintheresponse:
Hiran
GedoLowerJubaMudug
MogadishuBakol
Mogadishu
SavetheChildren
Adeso
DRC
ACF
Total:
Implementing Agency
Region No. of Households targeted
14,632
9,300
n/a
15,000
10,000
n/a
Phase 2 June12-Nov12
Phase 3(Planned)
11,000
5,300
53,627 70,000
Member Feature
CASH CONSORTIUM FOR SOUTH/CENTRAL SOMALIA
Picture courtesy of Alexandra Strand Holm (DRC) 2012
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3. Why not support CfW activities, so as to build community infrastructure?
For themost vulnerable - labour poor, disabled-CfWisnotdeemedtobethemostappropriateresponse.Conditionalitycanaddanextraburdento households that are already having difficultymeetingtheirbasicneedsanddetracttimefromnormalreproductiveduties.Forthemostvulnera-ble,unconditionalcashtransfersaremoreappro-priatethanconditionalcashtransfers.Monitoringhasshownthat,whenproperly targeted,benefi-ciaries spend the unconditional grants to meettheir basic needs. Average expenditure break-down is: 42% food, 23%debt repayment (mostofwhichpaysfooddebts),7%medicalbills,5%savings, 4% clothes/shoes, and 3% or less onlivestock,water,school fees,firewood,businessinvestment,household itemsandrentorsheltermaterial. Targeting is therefore essential andtheCashConsortiumiscurrentlyworkingonre-targeting themost vulnerable people, forwhomUCTcontinuestobeamuchmoreappropriatere-sponsethanCfW.However,forotherlessvulner-ablehouseholds,CfWcanbesuitableandcon-sortiummembersmay implementCfWactivitiesinotherprogrammes.
4. Can unconditional cash transfers be provided alongside other types of
assistance?
Yes, the key is to work with communities ontargeting,so that themostvulnerable receiveunconditionalgrantswhileothersmayreceivedifferenttypesofsupport.Forexample,thosepeoplephysicallyable toworkcancontributetocommunityinfrastructurethroughcondition-al cash transfers such as CfW programmes.Where beneficiaries decide to voluntarily re-turntotheirareasoforigin,areturnpackageisnecessary. In-kind support for livelihoods canalso complement UCTs. Furthermore, emer-gencyUCTcanpotentiallybeprovidedtocer-taingroupsalongsidelonger-termsocialsafetynettypeprogrammes.
Who is targeted for the unconditional grants?IntheareasinwhichtheCashConsortiumisoperating,theselectioncriteriaforbeneficiariesareasfollows:
• Verypoorhouseholds:establishedthroughcommunityself-wealthranking;• Labourdeficienthouseholds,withprioritiesforfemale-headeshouseholds;• Verypoorhouseholdswithchildrenunder-fiveyearsandunabletowork;• Dependencyratioinrelationtohouseholdincomeandfoodproductionlevels;• Vulnerablecommunitymemberssuchaswidows,child-headedhouseholds,agedand
disabledpeoplewithlitleornoexternalsupport;• Pregnantandlactatingwomen;• Displacedpersonswithoutlabourcapacity.
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5. Are we not creating dependency? What exit strategies are in place?
TheobjectiveoftheUCTistosupportassetre-coverysothathouseholdsshouldbebetteroffandabletoproduceenoughofwhattheyneedfollowingaseriesofmonthlycashtransfers(3-6months).Forexample,thereisalreadyevi-dencethatsomeIDPsinMogadishuhavebeenabletostartsmallincome-generatingactivitiesin thecampsorsendmoneyback to theirvil-lages of origin to facilitate future return. Fur-thermore,inordertoavoiddependenceonUCTandtotransitiontoothertypesof longer-term,rehabilitation programmes, the Cash Consor-tium coordinates closely with other projects.These projects may also be implemented bythe Cash Consortium member organisations,ormanagedbyotherssuchasUNHCR(ReturnConsortium),FAO (CfWactivities), or theRe-silienceConsortium,etc.Whereappropriate,acertaincaseloadhasbeen ‘handedover’ fromtheCashConsortiumtootherprogrammes,asanexitstrategy.
6. How can we monitor that the right people are receiving the cash grants?
TheCashConsortiumputsastrongemphasisonaccountability to affected populations, carefullymonitoringpossiblediversionthroughinnovativecomplaints mechanisms and harmonized moni-toringandevaluation.WorkinginconjunctionwiththeOverseasDevelopmentInstitute(ODI),com-monpost-distribution,marketmonitoringandpro-cessmonitoringtoolsareusedbystaff.Quantita-tiveandqualitativedataisregularlycollected,toanalysetheprocessandimpactofcashtransfers.Asinpreviousphases,anexternalevaluationwillalsobeconductedin2013.
In2012,researchwasconductedonthe impactofcashtransfersonbeneficiaries’accesstocreditandongender relations.Further researchstud-iesareplanned,lookingparticularlyatprotectionrisksforbeneficiariesinMogadishuandtheroleof gatekeepers. Research results are dissemi-natedthroughtheclustersandothercoordinationmechanisms,contributingtolessonslearntwithinthewidercommunityofpractice.
Picture courtesy of Alexandra Strand Holm (DRC) 2012
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Danish Refugee Council coordinates activities in the Horn of Africa & Yemen from Nairobi, Kenya. The regional office func-tions as a hub for Danish Demining Group, the humanitarian mine action unit within DRC. In addition, DRC hosts the Great Lakes Civil Society Project, the Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat and is lead agency for the Humanitarian Reform Project / Somalia.
TheDanishRefugeeCouncil (DRC)HornofAf-rica&Yemenworksthroughouttheregioncoordi-natingactivitiesfromitsregionalofficeinNairobi.Work in theregionstarted in1998 insupportofSomalisandotherpopulationsdisplaceddue toconflict.Today, localDRCofficesarepresent inthe region covering SouthCentral Somalia, thesemi-autonomousstateofPuntland,andtheself-declaredRepublicofSomaliland.
In2005,initialactivitieswerelaunchedinKenya.Today,DRCworkswithmultipleprojects includ-ingnumerousaidinterventionsintheworld’slarg-estrefugeecampDadaab,assistancetopeopleaffectedby thepost-electionviolence in theRiftValley,supportforurbanrefugeesinNairobiandfordroughtandconflictaffectedpastoralcommu-nities inNorthernKenya. In 2008,DRC startedwork in Yemen, to receive Somalis and otherasylumseekersandmigrantsarrivingontheYe-meni shores fromSomaliaandDjibouti, aswellastosupportcommunitiesaffectedbyconflictinYemen.In2009DRCopenedofficesinEthiopiawhereactivitiesarecarriedoutinsupportofSo-malirefugeesandlocalhostcommunities.
DANISHREFUGEECOUNCILHORNOFAFRICA&YEMEN
Picture courtesy of Alexandra Strand Holm (DRC)2012
Picture courtesy of Alexandra Strand Holm (DRC) 2012
Member Feature
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TheSomaliaprogrammeisthelargestofDRC’sfourprogrammescurrentlycarriedoutintheHornofAfrica&Yemen.Activitiesspanfromemergen-cy response to longer termrecoveryanddevel-opmentaimedatstrengthening resilience in theregion. DRChas17operational fieldoffices inSomaliawhereprogrammesaredeveloped,de-signedandimplementedbyteamsofinternation-alandnationalstaff.
DRC’s Somalia programme covers Somaliland,Puntland, and South and Central Somalia. TheprogrammeismanagedthroughfiveprogrammeofficesinHargeisa,Bossaso,GalkayoNorthandSouth,Beletweyne,DollowandMogadishu.Thisallowsforrapidresponsesandflexibilityinprovid-ing contextualized assistance to populations af-fectedbyhumanitariancrisisintheregion.DRCwas among the agencies able to respond withshort notice and providing emergency aid dur-ing the 2011 drought and famine in the region.Working in support of refugee and displaced
populations in both urban and rural settings,DRC introduces activities that in combinationconstituteacomprehensiveapproach toprovid-ing adequate humanitarian aid andmaking vul-nerable communities more resilient to shocks. Danish Refugee Council’s approach aims tocreatesynergybetweenthedifferenthumanitar-ianaidanddevelopmentprojects intheHornofAfrica&Yemen–both in termsofgeographicalcoverageand typesofactivities implemented insupportofrefugeesandpopulationsdisplacedorotherwise affected by conflict, consequences ofclimatechangeandnaturalhazardsintheregion.
Toimproveaccountabilityanddialoguewithbene-ficiaries,DRCdevelopedandintroducedaninno-vativeSMSprojectinSomaliain2011.TheSMSfeedbacksystemallows for communicationwithrecipientsofaidindifficultaccessibleareas,andDRCisnowexploringwaysoffurtherexpandingthenewtooltoenhanceaccountability,transpar-encyanddialogueintheregion.
THE SOMALIA PROGRAMME
Picture courtesy of Alexandra Strand Holm (DRC) 2012
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SOUTH AND CENTRAL SOMALIADRCopeneditsfirstfieldofficeinSouthCentralSomalia in 2005 in Beletweyne, Hiraan region.TheofficeinMogadishu,BanadirRegion,openedinearly2007followedbyofficesinAbudwakandGurielinGalgaduug,andfinallyinDollow,GedoRegion in2012.With theoffice inDollow,DRCaims to serve the displaced populations on theSomali side of the border and to explore crossborderoperationswithDRC’soperationsinDolloAdo,Ethiopia.DRC’sSouthandCentralSomaliaprogrammeisnowconcentratedintheBanaadir(Mogadishuanditsenvirons),Hiraan,andGedoregions.Inthesefourregions,DRCprovideslife-savingassistance,supportsimprovedlivelihoods,buildsandrehabilitatesinfrastructure,andworkswith clan elders to build their capacities andstrengthenlocalgovernance.
Programme activities in Hiraan and Galgaduugare mainly related to agricultural development,water and sanitation and hygiene education(WASH),improvedlivelihoods,aswellasDRC’sexpandingCommunityDrivenRehabilitationandDevelopmentprogramme(CDRD).
InthecapitalMogadishu,DRC’shumanitarianin-terventionscoverawiderangeofactivitiesfromtheprovisionofshelterandbasicnon-fooditemsinstandardisedaidpackages(NFIs),todistribu-tionofdailymealsfromseveralkitchensites,wa-terandsanitationandhygieneeducation(WASH),alternativelivelihoods,cashrelief,andprotectionprogrammes.
DRC’s new Dollow programme is currently ad-dressing critical needs for shelter, water andsanitation and hygiene education (WASH), andprotectionsofinternallydisplacedandtheircom-munities.
SOMALILANDDRChasbeenworkinginSomalilandsince1998,whentheveryfirstDRCofficeintheregionwasestablished.Currently, therearesix fieldofficesinSomalilandsupportingbothurbanandruralar-eas. InSomaliland,DRCworkswithemergencyresponsesand longer term recoveryanddevel-opment projects. More recent activities includeeducationandbusinessdevelopmentprojectsforyouth,waterandsanitationandhygieneeduca-tion(WASH),agriculturaldevelopment,improvedlivelihoods, capacitybuilding tostrengthen localgovernance, and support to victims of genderbasedviolence(GBV).
TheeasternregionsofSoolandSanaagaretheleastdevelopedandmostinsecureregionsofSo-maliland.Toaddressrecentneedsforemergency
Picture courtesy of Alexandra Strand Holm (DRC) 2012
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aidintheseandneighbouringregions,DRChasprovided relief aid through unconditional cashgrants,andcash forworkprojects.Otheractivi-tiesincludetheconstructionofsharedhouseholdlatrinesanddistributionof basicnon-food items(NFIs) in several communities in rural areas ofSomalilandaswellascommunitydrivenrecoveryandDevelopment programming in theQalqooyiGalbeed region, DRC works with a number ofinterventions insupportofconflict-afflictedcom-munitiesanddisplacedpopulations.Longertermengagementswithruralcommunitiesincludeim-plementationoftheCommunityDrivenRecoveryandDevelopment(CDRD)programme,whereasshorter term interventionsareaddressingemer-gencyneeds.
PUNTLANDThevastmajorityofDRCactivities in thesemi-autonomous territory of Puntland are targetinghumanitarian assistance to support displacedpopulations.DRCstarted itsoperations inPunt-landin2005withafieldofficeinBossasoonthe
northcoast.AlongwiththeDRCofficeinBossaso,fiveDRCsub-officesinQardho,Baran,Garowe,and North and South Galkayo in Puntland, areprovidingassistancetolargenumbersofpeopledisplacedbyarmedconflictandconsequencesofdrought.
DRCinPuntlandadoptsanintegratedapproachby providing life-saving assistance, supportingprotection and livelihoods activities, and con-structing and rehabilitating infrastructure for in-ternally displaced persons (IDPs), conflict-anddroughtaffectedpopulationsandtheurbanpoor.DRC’sassistanceincludestheprovisionofcashreliefandshelterkits,aswellastheconstructionandrehabilitationofwaterinfrastructure,schools,andothercommunityassets.
Inaddition,DRCisimplementingtheCommunityDrivenRecoveryandDevelopment(CDRD)pro-gramme in Puntland building local governancecapacitiesandsupportlocalrecoveryanddevel-opmentinruralcommunities.
Picture courtesy of Alexandra Strand Holm (DRC) 2012
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REGIONAL UPDATES
SOMALILAND
TheConsortiumhas sinceMay2012hada fulltimeRegionalfocalpoint(RFP)forSomaliawhoisbasedinHargeisa.TheRFPhasbeenthemainpointofcontactforadvocacy,informationsharing,coordinationandrepresentationinSomaliland.
TheSomalilandRFPissupportedbyaRegionalAdvisory Board. In July 2012, the regionalmembership held nominations for the AdvisoryBoard, nominating CARE, Partner Aid, CESVI,World Concern and Progressio to be the newmembersoftheSomalilandAdvisoryBoard.
The Consortium has conducted a numberof advocacy and lobbying activities, both onindividualmemberconcernsaswellasissuesofcommonconcerntomembership.KeytothishasbeenadvocacyontheSomalilandNGOActthatresulted in the enactment of by laws inAugustthat address most of the NGO concerns. TheRFPhasmadeoutreach contactwithmembersbased inSomaliland inorder to identifyspecifictheir concerns. This has also been extendedto organizations that are not members of theConsortium.Oncoordination,theConsortiumhasheldregularmonthlymeetingsforitsmembersinHargeisa,aswellasmeetings inBurco. Thesemeetings have served to present and addressissuesspecifictoagencyoperationsinSomaliland.
The RFP has also taken part in Inter-Sectorialcoordinationmeetingswhich she co-chairswiththeSomalilandMinistryofPlanningonbehalfofmembers.
The Consortium was active in the preparationsfortheSomalilandExpoUN/NGOheldinAugust.The RFP represented NGOs in the organizingcommittee for the Expo that comprised ofrepresentativesfromtheUNandtheSomalilandgovernment.
TheConsortiumhasenteredintoaMemorandumof Understanding with the Somaliland Ministryof Planning. This MOU is expected to shapeengagement between the Ministry and theConsortium and enhance working relationsbetweenthetwo.
PUNTLAND
The Consortium’s regional Coordination inPuntland is voluntary led by KISIMA. TheorganizationwithofficesinGarowehasservedasa point of convergenceofPuntlandConsortiummember views and concerns regarding theiroperations in the region. KISIMA hosts theconsortium monthly meetings in its offices,preparestheagendaandminutesofthemeetingsandisthelinkbetweenthemembersinPuntlandand Nairobi based coordination. KISIMA issupportedby twoRegionalDeputyFocalpointsfromMercyCorpsandCARE.
Tofollowuponcriticalissues,theConsortiuminPuntland has established working groups/taskforces to dealwith these. In 2012, someof theissues that the Consortium has engaged on inPuntland include; the recently introduced laborlaw, SPU (Special Protection Unit) rates andrelations, Puntland government/ministries andNGOCoordinationaswellascreatinglinkswithvariousUNprocessesintheregion.
The Consortium has been at the center ofcoordination between the Puntland governmentand Puntland based NGOs. In this regard theconsortium has represented NGO members invariousmeetingswithPuntlandlineMinistriesaswellastheMinistryofPlanningandInternationalCooperation (MOPIC) in an effort to streamlinegovernment/NGO activities and to addresscontentiousissues.
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Financial OverviewTheConsortium’sfunctionsarefinancedthroughmembershipfeesanddonors;italsosharesprem-isesandstaffwiththeNGOSafetyProgram.TheConsortiumfavorsamultidonorapproach.DonorssupportingtheConsortiumarethesamedonorssupportinghumanitarianactioninSomaliaandSo-maliland.Weareextremelygratefulforourdonors’generoussupport,withoutwhichtheConsortiumwouldbeunabletodeliverthesamelevelofservices.
TheConsortiumhasonebudgetforallConsortiumfunctionsandregionalrepresentations.
Financial contribution during 2012 (in%)
Picture Courtesy of NGO Consortium/ NSP 2011
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Picture courtesy of NSP 2012
SomaliaNGOConsortiumP.O.Box14762,00800Nairobi,Kenya.Telephone:+2540202607110/2,+254700419246;+254734211098Cell Phone:+254723770842Physical Address:PeponiRiseoffPeponiRoadEmail:[email protected]: www.somaliangoconsortium.org
WrittenbyNanaNdedaKeyContributionsfromSomaliaNGOConsortiumStaff,Adeso,NHRPII,NSP,RMMS,theSomaliaCashConsortiumandDRC.FrontandbackcoverphotoscourtesyofSomaliaNGOConsortium/NSPDesignandLayoutbyClarissaFischerPrintbyWillartProductionsLimited
Copyright©2012SomaliaNGOConsortium